Asleep in the Storm

Decades ago, farmers came to the country fair to find hired hands for the next year. One farmer spotted a strong boy and asked, "What can you do?"

The boy answered answer in an unusual way, "I can sleep when the wind blows."

The farmer didn’t really like the answer and started to walk away, but he turned back and said, "What did you say?"

"I can sleep when the wind blows."

"Well," said the farmer, "I don’t know what that means, but I’m going to hire you anyway."

Winter came, followed by spring, and the new hired hand was steady and simply did his job. Nothing remarkable. One night a strong wind blew, and it created deep concern for the farmer. He got out of bed and hurried to the barn, thinking he would help the hired hand prepare for the storm.

When he got to the barn, he was surprised to see the hired hand’s sleeping quarters dark and quiet. The farmer was disappointed that the boy was asleep, but he quickly noticed that all the animals were in the barn, the doors and windows were prepared, as were the gates.

The hired hand had anticipated the storm and prepared for it. Then the farmer remembered this young man’s unusual words.

"I can sleep when the wind blows."